When you hear the name RARE, you immediately reminisce to your youth, of lazy days playing Goldeneye until your eyes bled, of frustration, tears and salvation on Banjo Kazooie, and profanity from a drunken squirrel. Not forgetting the classics that were Perfect Dark and Diddy Kong Racing, of course. The news that Microsoft had bought RARE shocked some, pleased others, and even drove a few dedicated Nintendophiles to suicide*. Speculation mounted over what would be their first release for Microsoft's mighty Xbox.

Little did anyone realise that it would be the amusingly titled 'Grabbed by the Ghoulies', a frantic beat-em-up/platform game with a comedy horror theme. Naturally, it begins with the kidnapping of the protagonist's loved one. Like any good, wholesome teenager your character embarks on a quest to rescue said love, by investigating her disappearance in a haunted house, thus meeting the Ghoulies who have grabbed her.

The gameplay mechanics consist of entering a room, being sealed in, and forced to complete a challenge defined by the game. For instance, you may have to beat the monsters using only weapons, or eliminate a specific breed of demon before another. If at any point you break the guidelines of the challenge, the Grim Reaper will chase you, killing you with a single touch. He's avoidable, but in certain levels this is nearly impossible.

Each level has a number of weapons and powerups scattered around in strategic positions, meaning that you have to think ahead before you charge in, fists at the ready. Powerups can be obtained from destructable pieces of scenery, and weapons range from bats and projectiles to hamburgers. I mean, who hasn't wanted to hurl a hamburger at a skeleton warrior at some time in their life? The problem with the frantic battle style is that often you may not be ABLE to plan your strategy sufficiently, resulting in repeated death. Be prepared to die. A lot. Sometimes you may be aware of the fact you messed up, other times it's just plain unfair.

The controls and camera provide another problem. The game uses both analogue sticks; the left to move, naturally, and the right to perform fighting manuevers. Anyone who has played Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers may be familiar with this system, but it can still feel restrictive and bland at times. The camera is controlled by the L and R buttons, used to sweep the camera in both directions. Since the combat areas are often small, and nearly always cramped, the camera can get stuck on scenery and enemies, hindering your view more times than you'll care to remember. A dodgy auto-aim system doesn't help matters either, with your character often aiming at an enemy you do not want to be facing.

A word of warning, or recommendation. This game is cel shaded. Some of you love it, some hate it. But there's no denying that it suits the mood of the game perfectly, and looks damn pretty in the process. If you can look past the often simple textures then this is a game of comic-book beauty.

The music is pleasantly camp, like a cross between The Addams Family and many cheesy game soundtracks. Combine that with comically eerie sound effects and you can't really go wrong, for the genre.

The game isn't spectacular by any means. This is a far cry from the RARE we know and love. It's a solid, decent little game that you will either enjoy or avoid. There's really nothing in it that makes you gasp in surprise, no 'wow' factor, but it's a fun way to pass the time. If you're looking for an epic this Christmas, Grabbed By The Ghoulies isn't for you. If you want something to quickly pick up and play in between rounds of Rainbow Six or Top Spin then you can't go wrong. If you're looking for another RARE masterpiece then you will be disappointed, but try not to compare it to their other games. It's a fun-filled fright fest in its own right, even if it doesn't really grab you by the ghoulies.